AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

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Bears get Brown, Klesla

March 4, 2014

The Washington Capitals have acquired forward Chris Brown, defenseman Rostislav Klesla and a fourth-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for forwards Martin Erat and John Mitchell.

Both Brown and Klesla will report to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League.

Brown, 23, played in six games with the Coyotes this season, collecting 17 penalty minutes. In addition, he recorded 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) and 68 penalty minutes in 51 games with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League.

Last season, Brown led the Pirates and all AHL rookies with 29 goals and ranked tied for third in the AHL with 14 power-play goals.

Brown registered 80 points (34 goals, 46 assists) and 183 penalty minutes in 125 games during his three-year collegiate career with the University of Michigan. He was selected by the Coyotes in the second round (36th overall) in the 2009 Entry Draft.

Klesla, 31, has recorded three goals and six assists for nine points in 21 AHL games with Portland this season, and collected four points (one goal, three assists) and 24 penalty minutes with the Coyotes. The native of Novy Jicin, Czech Republic, is a 14-year NHL veteran who has played for Columbus and Phoenix. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound defenseman has appeared in 659 NHL games, recording 159 points (48 goals, 111 assists) and 620 penalty minutes.

Klesla was originally drafted by the Blue Jackets in the first round (fourth overall) in the 2000 NHL Draft.

Mitchell, 27, recorded six points (three goals, three assists) in 20 games with the Bears this season. Over four AHL seasons with Hershey, Norfolk and Syracuse, Mitchell has registered 30 goals and 27 assists for 57 points.